Arizona Trail #101 ~ North Kaibab
The North Kaibab Ranger District features a section of the iconic Arizona National Scenic Trail. It is the oldest section of the Arizona Trail, and it passes through a number of different environments including mixed pinyon and juniper woodlands, sagebrush and grassland communities, and ponderosa pine forests mixed with aspen groves. At East Rim Viewpoint, there are dramatic views of Saddle Mountain Wilderness, House Rock Valley, Marble Canyon and the Navajo Indian Reservation.
The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across the entire length of the state connecting deserts, mountains, forests, canyons, wilderness, history, communities and people. This non-motorized trail showcases Arizona’s diverse vegetation, wildlife and scenery, as well as unique historic and cultural sites. The route provides unparalleled opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and other trail users.
Starting at the U.S.-Mexico border, the path climbs and descends from one “sky island” mountain range to another, gaining and losing thousands of feet in elevation and traversing biomes ranging from desert to boreal forest. Continuing across the Sonoran Desert, the route crosses the Gila River, winds through the Superstition Mountains and the Mazatzal Wilderness on its way to the Mogollon Rim and majestic San Francisco Peaks. The trail north takes travelers across the Grand Canyon through billions of years of geology. Topping out on the North Rim, conifer forests dominate the Kaibab Plateau, eventually giving way to red bluffs dotted with sagebrush as the trail nears the Utah border on the edge of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. It is the backbone of Arizona.
Whether you hike, run, pedal or ride, the adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you on the Arizona Trail.
Please note that e-bikes are not authorized on the trail.
At a Glance
Fees: | None. |
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Best Season: | Late Spring to Fall. |
Water: | None. Bring everything that you will need. |
Restroom: | Yes, three total. Vault toilets on two trailheads at FR 205 and one at FR 610. |
General Information
Directions:Access: Four developed trailheads access the Arizona Trail across the North Kaibab Ranger District.
1) Highway 89A Trailhead (also known as Orderville Trailhead) - At the junction of AZ 89A and FR 205 about 2 miles east of Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on AZ 67.
2) FR 205 Trailhead - Drive 9 miles south of Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on AZ 67, turn left on FR 205, then 0.3 mile to trailhead.
3) East Rim Trailhead - Drive 27.5 miles south of Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on AZ 67 to FR 611, turn left on FR 611 and drive 4.4 miles to the trailhead.
4) Boundary Trailhead - Drive 27.5 miles south of Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center on AZ 67, turn left on FR 611 for 1.4 miles, turn right onto FR 610, drive 6 miles to the trailhead.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Day Hiking
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Backpacking
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Horse Riding
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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